A Pair of Heavily Worn Foot Guards: Densely Sashiko Stitched

early twentieth century
each one: 4" x 9 1/2", 10 cm x 24 cm

These undyed cotton foot guards are hand woven from hand spun cotton. The sashiko stitching reinforcing the body of the covers is tight and expertly done.

These are foot guards to wear with straw sandals called waraji. Waraji were widely worn in Japan and more often than not they were made in the home for use by the family. Often rice straw was used to construct waraji--since the material used to make them was not durable a pair of waraji was cast away soon after it was worn out.

These beautifully worn guards protected the ankle and the top of the foot when working, when walking or  when foraging. There is a good deal of surface abrasion and patina from age; the hand spun cotton yarns are easily seen, and do note the identifying sashiko stitched "letter" which is sewn on the inside of one of the covers.

This pair is a very good example of this kind of traditional, home made foot guard: its age, its yarns, its stitching, its wear, its design and its construction all come together to make a very good quality pair of foot guards.